william_shatner ovenbird William Shatner, at 95 years old, is debuting his new heavy metal band at Chicago’s Riot Fest this year. He provided the venue with a list of rider requirements which are absurd to the point of delight. Among other things he demanded that the city of Chicago provide: “A classic Chicago food item to be named in tribute to William Shatner” and the chance to “co-anchor the weather outside with Chicago’s most beloved meteorologist.” For the performance itself he demanded: ”Fire breathers. Many of them.” And that his artist golf cart be “replaced by a DeLorean.” Finally he demanded that the festival itself provide: ”Four feet of polish sausage, one bowl of sauerkraut and an assortment of adoptable puppies.” I can never tell if William Shatner takes himself seriously or if he’s spent his entire career since Star Trek leaning into the ludicrous and the farcical just because he can. I kind of admire his willingness to be preposterous without giving a shit what anyone else thinks. His spoken word covers (which span multiple albums) are comically bad and I think the joy in listening to them comes from not being allowed to decide if they are intentionally ridiculous or a serious attempt at artistic expression. And, in the end, I think they can be both. Maybe we need more people to live out loud in audacious and unexpected ways. We’re only here once. Why not demand that “a boat be renamed in honour of William Shatner so he can be captain of a ship again”? Why not demand “eight pallets of Faygo”? And while he seems to have spent his life on bizarre self indulgences, and is probably a bit of an egomaniac, he also founded the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which he has been running since 1990, an event that provides funding to a variety of organizations that support children with medical challenges and disabilities. Is he a “good” person? I don’t know. Reports are mixed. Many people find him rude and difficult and self centered. He makes a spectacle of himself. But maybe there’s a lesson in there about daring to ask the world for things that seem wild and unlikely. You never know. Your whole life might be turned inside out by whispering an impossible wish to the stars. 260801 what's it to you? who go blather from